Drumchapel in Scottish Semi

Drumchapel United will take to the field on Tuesday night knowing they are just 90 minutes away from claiming a place in the Scottish Amateur Cup Final for an incredible third year in a row.

Having been beaten in the previous two finals – last year suffering the agony of losing on penalties – everyone at the club would love to go one better and win the Cup for only the second time in its short history. A strong Colville Park AFC stand in their way of making it a hat-trick of finals however, and the Motherwell side will be boosted by playing the tie at Hamilton’s New Douglas Park – only two miles from home.

Both teams are among the best in Scottish amateur football and the game promises to be a scintillating clash. Drumchapel are the reigning champions of the Central Scotland Premier Division and sit second in this year’s table, four points behind their semi-final opponents.

Colville are in outstanding form with 15 wins from 16 league games establishing a comfortable lead at the top, despite Drumchapel having played four matches more.  The pinacle of the amateur game is the Scottish Cup however, and both the champions and the champions-elect will be determined to get their hands on the nation’s top prize.

The match is a repeat of last year’s semi final, a fact likely to raise the tempo further as the Lanarkshire side look to avenge that defeat. Having won the sides’ two previous meetings this season, the second of which came three weeks ago, Colville go into the match as favourites – but few would write Drumchapel off.

Formed in 2001, United have taken the amateur game by storm and stacked their trophy room with a collection of silverware many older teams would envy. In ten years they have claimed five Premier Division titles, four West of Scotland Cups, four Cinema Cups and three League Cups.

This season has been tinged with disappointment for the players, as they seem certain to lose their grip on the league championship after winning four-in-a-row. The 2007 Scottish Amateur Cup triumph is still the peak of the club’s achievements however, and the current squad know bringing the Cup back to Drumchapel will cement their place in the district’s already-rich footballing history.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Everton boss Davie Moyes both started their football careers playing for Drumchapel Amateurs – the ‘other’ side bearing the district’s name, although playing out of Duntocher.

The list of football legends who graduated from the Drum is nothing short of remarkable. It includes ex-Everton and Scotland striker Andy Gray, Scotland winger Archie Gemmill, Liverpool and Scotland midfielder John Wark, Nottingham Forrest and Scotland international John Robertson, and the Clydebank born Manchester City and Scotland midfielder Asa Hartford.

Since their formation at the turn of the millennium United have ensured the Drumchapel name remains at the summit of Scotland’s amateur game, and the players are now within two matches of adding a new chapter in the district’s unparalleled success. Tuesday’s Scottish Amateur Cup Semi Final takes place at New Douglas Park in Hamilton. Kick-off: 7.15pm.

* Motherwell Miners folded and failed to fulfil the fixture: Tie awarded to Drumchapel United.

Archie Gemmil, one of the many legends to start his career playing amateur football in Drumchapel, scored arguably Scotland’s greatest ever goal at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina (against the Netherlands).